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Renovating and repositioning nestboxes

You only have to walk around any urban, suburban or village street to see nestboxes in people's gardens that are not in a fit state to be used by birds: many have become dilapidated simply because they are old; some may have been damaged by squirrels, larger birds or other animals. Very often you see a nestbox that has clearly been positioned inappropriately and left there for years - despite never being usedVery often you see a nestbox that has clearly been positioned inappropriately and left there for years - despite never being used. If this applies to a nestbox in your own garden, don't despair - take a fresh look at it - there's no need to give in or accept defeat. With a little effort and some careful thinking about correct positioning, it may still be home to a family of birds.

Refurbishment

Last year I was given a number of nestboxes in various states of disrepair by a friend who no longer felt able to look after them. A couple of them had fallen victim to marauding grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and the elements had also taken their toll. I decided that they had definitely not reached the ends of their useful lives, and I took a few simple steps the re-commission them for my own garden.

Of course it's not possible to give definitive guidance for a project like this since what you need to do will depend on what you start out with. However I hope that by showing this example, others may be encouraged to revisit old or unsuccessful nestboxes, renovate and/or move them and give them a second chance.

Pictorial example

The nest boxes I was given were basically sound; I did not have to replace any of the wood, but I undertook a few minor repairs and enhancements.

One of the old nestboxes. You can see how the hinge has perished. Squirrels had also damaged the entrance hole.

The first job with this box was to remove the damaged hinge by levering and pulling out the old nails which held it.

Next I gave the box a good clean to remove all damaged material and traces of soiling from inside the box.

I located the materials I would need to fix up the box. The hinge would be made from this piece of old washing machine hose.

I split the hose lengthwise with a craft knife and used 'blue tacks' to nail it in place.

I made a catch to secure the lid to the box so that squirrels etc would not be able to open this lid. This was simply done with two screws and some stout wire.

I bought a specialist hole plate to protect the entrance hole from predators and to make sure that the hole diameter was of the correct size.

The hole plate is simply screwed in place over the entrance hole. Here I've used a 25mm diameter hole - suitable for blue tits (Parus caeruleus).

I took the opportunity to improve the drainage in the base of the box by drilling a small hole in each corner.

Here is the renovated box ready to be pressed into service again.

With a second, very similar nestbox I decided to make structural changes.

By cutting away part of the front, I converted this nestbox for hole-nesting birds to an open-fronted box more suitable for birds like robins (Erithacus rubecula).

Repositioning

You would be amazed at the number of different structures and styles of nestboxes that are successfully used by birds. You can spend a pretty penny on a top-of-the-range nestbox only to find that the blue tits prefer your letter box! Arguably far more important than the design details of a nestbox is where you choose to put itArguably far more important than the design details of a nestbox is where you choose to put it.

Inappropriate positioning is the single biggest reason why some nestboxes - even very well designed and constructed ones - remain unused by birds. Positioning a nestbox is part science, part art and part pragmatism; therefore it is quite a tricky business. Placing nestboxes successfully becomes much easier with practice; however there are some rules of thumb which we can use to help us.

This box is positioned well up on a wall - out of the reach of most predators. Note also how the box tilts slightly away from the wall to aid drainage.

Even when you have taken care to site your nestbox as carefully as possible, there will be occasions when, for no clear reason, a box is not usedthere will be occasions when, for no clear reason, a box is not used. You should always be patient: if you are pretty confident that you have positioned the box well, then give a box three or four years. Even if it is not used by nesting birds in that time, it will almost certainly be used by them on occasion for roosting and perhaps even by other animals (e.g. hibernating insects)Even if it is not used by nesting birds in that time, it will almost certainly be used by them on occasion for roosting and perhaps even by other animals (e.g. hibernating insects). If after this kind of timeframe a box still shows no signs of being used for nesting, you might want to try a new position. Different species of birds can have quite different requirements when it comes to the position of a nestbox: The BTO Nestbox Guide gives guidance on on a species by species basis and anyone using nestboxes will find this an invaluable aid.

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